Hiring process draws fire

Friday

Mar 8, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Karen Nugent ITEM CORRESPONDENT

A discussion among selectmen about appointing a new tax collector became heated Wednesday night after Selectman David Sargent — who initiated the exchange — insinuated that a board subcommittee made up of fellow members Mary Rose Dickhaut and William Connolly would not share legal information with the entire board.

At issue is a replacement for former collector Kathy O’Malley, who passed away in January. Sargent said he wants the post filled as soon as possible, but Town Solicitor Robert Gibbons said he is awaiting information from state officials to see if the appointee’s term would end at the June 25 town election, or in June 2014, when O’Malley’s term would have ended. Gibbons said selectmen have the authority to appoint someone either way. Connolly said he and Dickhaut would review the process.

That’s when Sargent said he “hoped the subcommittee would share the information.”

Both Connolly and Dickhaut appeared surprised at the remark.

“I think that’s derogatory to our committee,” Dickhaut said.

Sargent said extended appointments have taken place before.

“Let the people speak,” he said.

Nomination papers will be available next month.

Budget

Early in the meeting, the board met with Fire Chief Richard Hart and public works superintendent Chris McGown about their fiscal 2014 budget proposals.

Hart submitted a level-funded and level-service budget, each of approximately $1.7 million. It would include the hiring of three new firefighters — two of whom are about to be hired — to fill vacancies. A third position would replace a veteran firefighter expected to retire in August, or Firefighter Dean Weeks, who has been on suspension since last fall, after he was charged with assaulting his ex-wife by allegedly tampering with her clothes dryer, causing a house fire at which she was injured.

Hart told selectmen he does not think there are major problems with Fire Department radios, as suspected by the firefighters union.

A union safety committee in the fall told selectmen that firefighters have ongoing problems communicating with one another in certain parts of town, and occasionally with Clinton Hospital.

Earlier this year a consultant, John “Jack” Hart (no relation to Chief Hart), of Louisiana-based Tusa Consultant Services, was hired for approximately $5,000. Town Administrator Michael Ward said after the meeting the company submitted the lowest bid, and Jack Hart worked on the Ground Zero site in New York City after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. But his report did not identify a specific problem in Clinton, and made general suggestions. One was to remove antennae from a Burditt Hill water tower - slated to be torn down anyway.

Chief Hart said he does not think that will make much difference. He said a new ground communication tower, as suggested by the consultant, would cost approximately $75,000. The money request would be placed on a town meeting warrant, and not taken from the Fire Department budget.

The chief said he sent all radios out for repairs.

Ward said the situation has improved, and that everyone is working together.

Board members last night questioned what should be done next.

“I don’t see a major problem,” Hart said.

Ward said the union has requested another meeting with selectmen. Meanwhile, he said, firefighters have been asked to keep a log documenting communication problems as they occur.

McGown said the landfill re-capping project may require hiring another administrative assistant, or increasing the current administrator’s hours. He said permitting expenses alone are costly.

“It is going to be a lot of work,” he said. “This is the largest project the town has ever seen.”

The work involves bringing soils in from out-of-town and placing them atop the closed landfill, off South Meadow Road, to build it up and keep contaminants from leaching into South Meadow Pond.

In other business

Selectmen approved setting up a town subcommittee to run the annual Clinton Holiday Pops Concert at Town Hall.

Stanley Starr Jr. and Tena Zapantis, members of a volunteer committee, said the concert, scheduled for Dec. 14 this year, has become a tradition since it began in 1995, after renovations were made to Town Hall. It was originally a one-time event, Starr said, but was so successful it has been held for 18 years, missing just 2010 due to a scheduling conflict. But he said putting on the show is costly and takes a lot of work.

The board voted unanimously to establish a subcommittee, but Ward said setting up a separate fund for donations would require town meeting approval.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.